Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Seraphim Solar To Build Manufacturing Facility in Jackson Creating Up to 250 Jobs

Seraphim Solar Manufacturing USA Inc. has announced plans to construct a solar module assembly plant in Jackson that is expected to create 250 jobs during the first five years of operation.

The project represents a $50 million investment with an anticipated annual payroll of up to $7.3 million.

With the addition of this Made in the USA facility, Seraphim’s global expansion will have reached 1.2 gigawatt of capacity worldwide, company officials said.

“We are extremely excited about successfully recruiting Seraphim Solar to our city,” said Mayor Tony T. Yarber. “We’re partnering with a company that will provide innovative solutions that will lead and model how the country consumes energy.”

The Mayor said he was appreciative of the assistance being provided by the Mississippi Development Authority to help recruit Seraphim.

Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015. Phase 2 of the project will begin in 2016.

The jobs created will range from high-level management to administrative and line worker positions. The project will offer on the job training and benefits for employees. The company plans to partner with the City of Jackson’s Jobs for Jacksonians program to recruit qualified individuals and construction firms to meet the company’s needs.

“Seraphim Solar shares our passion for building capacity in this city by ensuring Jackson residents have solid employment opportunities,” Yarber said. “This partnership brokered by the city’s Economic Development division is a true win for Jackson.”

The project will be located at 3111 Lawson St. It represents the redevelopment of an underused property and will provide much-needed road and rail improvements for the area.

The company is known for its high-quality modules, having been the first module manufacturer to pass TÜV SÜD’s ‘Thresher' test, which was created to provide better understanding and insight into the longer-term reliability and power output performance of modules, compared to standard tests such as IEC61215.

Seraphim provides both high-efficiency monocrystalline modules and standard high-specification multicrystalline modules, including black aesthetic and compatible with microinverters, widely used in the U.S. residential rooftop market.

And 10:52 - check out that "jobs for jackson" inclusion. If it is anything like the recent RFP for construction/engineering of the infrastructure spending, the successful bidder will have to have the corporate headquarters in Jackson to qualify. Not just an office. Not just hundreds of employers. But the corporate headquarters. Makes one wonder just who Mayor Tony is trying to pass the dollars on to.

End result of his JFJ program might be like Harvey ran into with WorldCom. His personal agendas might cause many good companies to leave Jackson with a net loss of jobs.

Wonder if this $50 million is going to get 100 EB-5 visas for wealthy Chinese? The EB-5 program allows a visa for a 500K "investment" for five years promising 10 jobs (in a TEA Targeted Employment Area). Bureau of Labor Stats does that. I'd be willing to bet JackTown has unemployment at 150% of the national average. Sounds like another GreenTech deal. Or maybe they wrote it as 50 visas for Chinese families at 1 mil a pop. Love to see the buyback provisions, too. Ka Ching. Here's your green card. C U L8R as you move anywhere in the US.

"The White House is expected to announce new programs on Tuesday that will bring more solar panels to low income communities and renters, reports the New York Times. The move shows how solar panels are increasingly moving beyond the industry’s initial niche market of wealthy home owners in sunny states in the U.S.

Obama administration officials are supposed to make the announcement in Baltimore later today. The details will likely include a plan to triple the capacity of solar panels for federally subsidized housing by 2020, and a pledge of $520 million — from the private sector as well as states and cities — to install solar panels and energy-efficiency projects in low income communities." 7/7/15 Fortune

Glad to hear the news. Has the company been advised that construction/improvements will be done by small, start up, inexperienced, under-funded, "wanna-bees?" That proven, reputable companies will be turned away due to their not hiring enough of those who live in Jackson, who only work when they feel like it, and then their work is substandard at best. Have they been made aware that many to be employed are either Nissan rejects or failures and expect wages well in access of $12/hr (with no experience). Are they aware that any criticism of employees quality of work and non-Asian work ethics will be met with calls to the Civil Liberties Union, NAACP and calls for Unionization to prevent discrimination? Seraphim doesn't have a clue who it's gotton in bed with.

A small company like Seraphim doesn't have the political clout that Nissan has. If their product made here is inferior or just continually defective, it could easily put them out of business in this state and also keep other business away. It's a very risky deal to depend on a majority unskilled labor market. Yes Nissan trained their employees, but their training/screening process is unbelievably meticulous and they also have billions of dollars to make it work. There is a big difference.

World Com moved because of lack of response from the Jackson City Council and then one building owned by a local engineer doubled its price when they discovered it was World Com. This price hike caused them to look at Clinton who was waiting with open arms. But, as it turned out, MCI World Com was doomed by its CEO. Lawson Street is between Fondren and the Medical Mall and is not a bad location but security will be extremely important as will almost any location near the existing railroad in any city. This situation is not unique to Jackson. I do not see anywhere that the "majority" of workers will be lazy good-for-nothings. Why are so many naysayers posting that refuse to believe that "Jacksonians" cannot be trained to work? Surely there are many who want jobs and will excell with proper training and incentives -- like self respect and a pay check. If not, then we might as well fold up shop here and nationwide.

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!